deflection

Etymology

From Latin dēflexiō, from dēflectere (“to deflect”; participle stem dēflex-) + -iō (suffix forming abstract nouns). The non-etymological spelling deflection is taken from the present stem dēflect-, associated with collection, dissection, etc.

noun

1. The act of deflecting or something deflected.
   Russell's goalbound shot took a deflection off a defender and went out for a corner.
   The next morning Oswald stopped short in the middle of his shaving, which in his case involved the most tortuous deflections and grimacings. 1918, H. G. Wells, Joan and Peter
   The structure was examined and passed by the Board of Trade in February, 1890, after it had been tested with two trains of 50 loaded wagons, each hauled by two engines, and pushed by a third. The trains ran side by side, and their combined weight, including the six engines, was 1,800 tons. The deflections of the girders were precisely in accordance with the calculations of the engineers. 1950 March, H. A. Vallance, “On Foot Across the Forth Bridge”, in Railway Magazine, page 148
2. The deviation of a needle or other indicator from its previous position.